The city of Dénia is now officially a member of the Cervantes Cities Network, an entity that pursues three basic objectives: to facilitate greater knowledge and relationship of the places linked to Miguel de Cervantes, either because of his personal presence or because of the relationship with his work or with its diffusion; support and disseminate joint activities that allow greater development of its members at an educational, cultural, tourist or economic level; and spread the life and works of Cervantes through specific educational and cultural programs that allow a better knowledge and dissemination of the author of Don Quixote and the values of his work in the educational and social framework.
This network of cities is currently made up of 28 municipalities - Alcalá de Henares, Alcázar de San Juan, Antequera, Argamasilla de Alba, Arganda del Rey, Argel (Algeria), Azul (Argentina), Baeza, Barcelona, Ciudad Real, Córdoba , Daganzo, El Toboso, Esquivias, Guanajuato (Mexico), Güímar, La Puebla de Cazalla, Lisbon (Portugal), Madrid, Malaga, Montevideo (Uruguay), Quintanar de la Orden, Recife (Brazil), Seville, Toledo, Valladolid, Vélez-Málaga, Zahara de los Atunes- to which Dénia now joins.
On the occasion of the presentation of the request to join the Network, approved unanimously in plenary session in August 2021, the Municipal Archive prepared a historical report and provided images of the Cervantine spaces in Dénia, which will be incorporated into the website of the association. The objective is to spread the link between the city of Dénia and the figure of Cervantes, as an author, but also as a man with universal values, which we fully share today: dialogue, respect for the other and the will to continue advancing in achieving dreams and goals.
On a historical level, it is accepted that Miguel de Cervantes landed in the port of Dénia after his captivity in Algiers, on October 27 or 28, 1580, and from here he continued on his way to Valencia.
It is also highlighted in the Arxiu report that the city of Dénia, over time, has shown interest and sensitivity towards Miguel de Cervantes, promoting his memory and paying tribute to the universal author. It is cited, for example, that in 1947, in memory of Cervantes' arrival in Dénia, the esplanade of the port was given his name; In October 1957, the Dénia Primary Education School Group was inaugurated, which was named "Cervantes"; in 1966 the statue of the writer was placed on the promenade and in 2016, the anniversary of his death, cultural activities were carried out on the figure of the author.
Now, after the official announcement of its incorporation into the Network of Cervantine cities, and fulfilling the acquired objective of disseminating the life and works of Cervantes through specific educational and cultural programs, two activities have been organized, which will take place on the 17th and on November 18.
On the 17th, at 19.30:XNUMX p.m., at the Sant Josep Street Public Library, the University of Valencia researcher Teresa Peláez Domínguez will give the conference "Slavery and captivity in the Cervantes Mediterranean".
The next day the children's storytelling "Don Quixot curiós" will be performed by the Aktes Teatre company. It will be at 17.30:XNUMX p.m. in the Public Library.
For its part, the Cervantes public school, which this year celebrates its 65th anniversary, has wanted to join these activities of the Network and will host in the center the representation of the children's storyteller "Don Quixot curiós" and has organized a route through the Cervantes spaces Dénia aimed at students in the 3rd and 4th years of primary school.
